README

This page contains an editable version of MediaWiki's README file. Please contribute to MediaWiki by editing the README for content and style. The README file is one of the entry-points by which newcomers join the MediaWiki community, and it should express with clarity and concision the strengths of MediaWiki as a software platform and the vitality and openness of its community. Edits will be periodically synchronized with the source distribution by MediaWiki developers (last sync: gerrit:762573).

See bug 50552 for the discussion that prompted the creation of this page.

# MediaWiki

MediaWiki is a free and open-source wiki software package written in PHP. It
serves as the platform for Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects, used
by hundreds of millions of people each month. MediaWiki is localised in over
350 languages and its reliability and robust feature set have earned it a large
and vibrant community of third-party users and developers.

MediaWiki is:

* feature-rich and extensible, both on-wiki and with hundreds of extensions;
* scalable and suitable for both small and large sites;
* simple to install, working on most hardware/software combinations; and
* available in your language.

For system requirements, installation, and upgrade details, see the files
RELEASE-NOTES, INSTALL, and UPGRADE.

* Ready to get started?
  * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Download
* Looking for the technical manual?
  * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Contents
* Seeking help from a person?
  * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Communication
* Looking to file a bug report or a feature request?
  * https://bugs.mediawiki.org/
* Interested in helping out?
  * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/How_to_contribute

MediaWiki is the result of global collaboration and cooperation. The CREDITS
file lists technical contributors to the project. The COPYING file explains
MediaWiki's copyright and license (GNU General Public License, version 2 or
later). Many thanks to the Wikimedia community for testing and suggestions.